PVC Pipe Dresser Overhaul

Sometimes you need to do something more than just paint an old piece of furniture. Sometimes you need something that is unique and crazy awesome. While walking down the isles of my local home improvement warehouse the idea dawned on me. PVC Pipe Yo! You can TOTALLY update furniture with plumbing supplies!

This dresser was found at a garage sale for $50.00. It was SO solid and had recessed drawer fronts which are THE BEST kind to get. (you can see another way to update a dresser here). There was no way that Hailee and I were going to pass it up.

We had to take it apart to move it (cause it was flippin heavy and we were the brains AND the muscle of the operation.) and I never got it all back together for a good before shot.(Shame on me, I know) But from these pics you can see how the drawers looked originally.

We purchased an 8’ piece of PVC pipe that was 2” around. I believe it cost around $6.00

Hailee’s husband Mark got to it before I could (he is every DIYers dream, a guy that does projects BEFORE he is asked? Sheesh.)

Anyways, he marked every 1/2″ all the way down the pipe. And used a compound miter saw to cut each mark. It didn’t take as long as you might think.

To make sure that they were all even he cut on the inside of each line. With the width of the saw blade they were about 3/8” thick.

Before After

And then by some sort of Saturday morning miracle they fit perfectly in the drawer fronts. The last pieces had to be cut in 1/2 but that was it.

When you are cutting PVC with a saw there are A LOT of shavings. Like it might look like December in your garage. To make sure that the drawers are clear of them before you paint use a blow dryer to blow them all off.

The PVC fit so perfectly and tight in the fronts that we did not glue every single circle. We just put glue in a few spots to make sure that it stayed in place.

Once everything is place and cleaned and dry its time to paint!!!

First prime with Kilz Spray Primer. This piece has laminate on the top and sides so you need something that has great adhesion since there is no sanding involved.

One the primer is dry you are ready to spray paint!

I used Krylon’s Classic White in Gloss. When you use a primer like Kilz it tones down the gloss finish of spray paints. Normally its fine, but I wanted this piece to be high gloss white so I did a few extra coats to build up the gloss finish. I think we used 6 cans of spray paint on this entire piece.

And there you go! A SUPER cheap way to get an incredible piece of one of a kind furniture.

You can see more Before and After pictures of the entire room makeover here. And make sure to visit the rest of the tutorials from the makeover!

So so so so so so pretty! I’ve thought about doing something similar with paper towel rolls but was afraid it would just be too cheap and wouldn’t stand up well with all our moves. This is a great alternative!! Smart move!

I absolutely LOVE all your fabulous ideas! Great room, if only it were in my house! I finally found a brass lamp that I want to paint, what is the best way to do that?Where can I get that fabric that you used for your throw pillows in the living room makeover?Thanks for your help!

Kris 13.10.2011 at 21:22

I’ve seen this PVC trend alot in the past few months but I LOVE your version!! Beautifully executed The 1st time I saw a PVC decorated piece of furniture I thought it screamed 60’s. Makes you want to throw a sunburst mirror in there! SO much fun!!!

Thats the most creative idea i’ve seen yet for a dresser make over. Love it! Can you tell me if people can guess that thats what it is on closer inspection or does it look as fabulous up close as it does in the pictures?